Two Crosses at Danger Pass (1967)

A businessman named Moran has framed a rancher named Powell to obtain water rights to his land.

Sheriff Mitchell knows Powell isn’t guilty. So he hatches a plan with his deputy, Doc, to make sure Powell gets a fair trial.

Doc will ride to Fort Barkley to get help from the cavalry. The sheriff will smuggle Powell to his ranch until he can sneak him onto a stagecoach.

What the sheriff doesn’t know is that his deputy has been bought off by Moran (Armando Calvo). By the time the smoke clears, one of Moran’s sons is dead and Powell is hanging from a tree.

In his grief, Moran has the sheriff and his wife killed too. He whips their young daughter Judy (Mara Cruz) and takes her captive to work as a servant in the Moran household.

But a young son named Alex (Peter Martell) slips away to be raised by a Quaker family. He never forgets what he witnessed that day. He vows to return to Danger Pass and get even with the Morans.

When he returns to Danger Pass, he’s accompanied by his new “brother” Mark, who believes in justice but not violence. And who wishes Alex shared that philosophy.

Review:

A well done Spaghetti that features one of Martell’s best Western performances and enough twists on the revenge-for-a-murdered family theme to make it seem fresh.

For instance, when Alex returns to Danger Pass, he finds himself pulled in opposite directions by two siblings he loves.

Sister Judy has been forced to serve the family responsible for her parents’ death. She might want revenge against the Morans more than Alex.

Meanwhile, “brother” Mark tries his best to steer Alex away from resorting to violence to get his justice. And he’s willing to put his life on the line if need be to accomplish that goal.

The film also benefits from the presence of three lovely ladies, all of whom have parts a bit more developed than a typical female Spaghetti character.

Nucci Cardinali plays a saloon singer and lover of Moran’s remaining son, Charlie. He’s frightfully jealous and not above beating Edith to keep her in line.

Then there’s lovely Dianik Zurakowska, daughter of Moran, who’s been offered up to Doc as a bride in return for his loyalty.

One of the film’s best scenes comes when Alex considers taking his anger out on her. And when “brother” Mark tries to intervene.

Directed by:
Rafael Romero Marchent

Cast:
Peter Martell … Alex Mitchell
(Pietro Martellanza)
Mario Novelli … Charlie Moran
as Anthony Freeman
Nuccia Cardinali … Edith
Luis Gasper … Mark
Mara Cruz … Judy Mitchell
Armando Calvo … Moran
Dianik Zurakowska … Gloria Moran
as Dyanik
Jesus Puente … Sheriff Mitchell
Antonio Pica … Doc
Miquel del Castillo … Powell
Emilio Rodriguez … Johnny Miller

Also with … Eduardo Coutelenq, Chris Huerta, Xan das Bolas, Joaquin Solis

Runtime: 91 min. .

aka:
Due croci a Danger Pass
Two Crosses in Danger Pass

Music: Francesco De Masi
Song: “Without A Name” sung by Raoul

Memorable lines:

Sheriff Mitchell to Moran: “It’s a thing you wouldn’t understand. But I’d rather die than be a murderer.”

Quaker who raises Alex: “Killing to obtain food is permitted. Killing for the sake of killing is most wicked in the eyes of our Lord. You know that.”

Charlie Moran to Edith: “The next time you allow yourself to be touched by a man, you’re gonna pay!”

Judy Mitchell, at her parents’ graves: “I know that today, they’re happy. Because you’ve come back to avenge their death.”
Alex Mitchell: “I don’t know, Judy. I guess where they are, vengeance is a forgotten thing.”

Alex Mitchell to Mark, his Quaker “brother”: “Those who close their eyes to injustices are as bad as the people who actually committed them. Your own father said that.”

Alex Mitchell to Gloria Moran: “You’re beautiful. Very beautiful. I feel bad, there’s always blood between us. And to think there’s gonna be a lot more bledshed to come.”

Mark: “I’m a Quaker, and my religion rejects all violence.”
Charlie Moran: “That ain’t my religion.”

Trivia:

Cris Huerta, later the strongman in comedy Westerns like the Providenza films, has a bit part here as a drunk who can’t wait to hear and watch Edith sing. He pays a heavy price when her lover, Charlie Moran, gets jealous over the attention he pays Edith.

Saloon girl Edith sings two songs in the film, “Brings Us Joy and Happiness” and “What Do You Think.” In both cases the voice is really that Giulia De Mutiis (aka July Ray), wife of composer Alessandro Alessandroni, who had a hand in several Spaghetti scores. They had a daughter Cinzia, who also became a singer.

Dyanik Zurakowska appeared in eight Spaghetti Westerns, beginning with a supporting role in “Navajo Joe” (1966). Nuccia Cardinali and Mara Cruz each appeared in four.